Labman..you may want to look at the thread I started and my last post there as it relates to how filter companies test.
What I don't want to get into is disrespecting another brand because I happend to work for a company which manufactured various brands themselves.
There isn't a major brand of US made filters out there I would be wary of using.
What I can say about Fram is the obvious. Every filter they make meets or exceeds OEM manufacturers specs.
After that it gets a bit more complicated...lol
I prefer the Super Tech because of how good the media is and the price.
With oil filter media there are basically three types.
Cellulose..paper ( least expensive)
Blended media..where paper is the predominant part of the media with X % of synthetic blended in. ( more expensive)
Synthetic..commonly referred to as microglass ( most expensive)
There are multiple "grades" of each type of media type.
The Super Tech uses the blended media. Which helps it's higher efficiency at removing contaminant.
Super Tech is not the "maximum" performance media out there. There are others and that's part of the reason other filters cost more.
Other reasons why a certain filter costs more is the packaging, amount of colors used on the can itself when painted, and how much marketing needs for advertising. You pay for the advertising as well..
I think you can work out why the Super Tech costs less than the various Fram filters..you can also figure out if it meets what you require.
As someone once told me who sold cars..it's always a "good deal" when you buy. The dealers happy, the new owner is happy.
Now just because someone else comes along and gets better interest rates, trade in or whatever..when you bought ---it was a good deal to you.
Same applies to filters..if that's the one you want, buy it. I don't drive your car, know your driving habits ( city/highway), what your expectations are from the filter, what model year your car is, how often you change oil, and whether or not your doing oil analysis.
But if you've got a question on something..i'll do my worst..
You did ask about filter area. That's a bit tricky. All things being equal more area is better. Provided you are talking about the exact same type of media.
Smaller filters for imports need to perform as well as the larger types for US vehicles. After all, consumers will drive 3,000-6,000 miles between oil changes regardless of if it's a Miata or a Cadillac. So filter manufactures will compensate on the media to make sure the import engine filter lasts long enough.
The larger filter
may use a totally different media even if it is for the same engine manufacturer.
Unless you know for sure that the two elements in question use the same type and grade of media, you may not be gaining any performance advantage.
Surface area of the media by having more pleats, using the same spec media, will increase filter dirt holding capacity. But there is a limit on the number of pleats one is able to put in the same size can. To many pleats and the pleats "pinch off" and you lose dirt holding capacity.
So I hope that helps. It's not as simple as one may think. Engineers keep it that way..lol
PS: to all those who have said welcome..thanx btw
